TERRIOKIDS provides educationally based OT services to area school districts. We hold ourselves to high professionally ethical standards. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality of service for children and their families. Our knowledge of therapeutic strategies, understanding of legal mandates, and business experience has allowed us to be viewed positively by both parents and district administration.

If a child is identified as having a disability as defined by the Public Law 105-17, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), he or she is entitled to special education. When special education eligibility is determined, the school district develops an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This legal document outlines the educational supports that the child requires. According to the law, a child is entitled to a related or support service that "may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education." Occupational therapy is a related service.

If a team suspects that a child needs the specialized services of an occupational therapist, a referral is made for an evaluation. The team, after discussing the evaluation results, determines if the related service is required for the child to benefit from special education. It is important to remember, however, that educationally based therapy is not intended to be a medical or primary service.

Related services are more easily understood if considered as a secondary service. That is to say, without a primary service to support, there would be no secondary services to provide. Therefore, children who are not deemed eligible for special education would not be eligible to receive a related service.

In the medical realm, however, occupational and physical therapy services are able to be received as a primary or "stand alone" service. Therefore, if you are not eligible for services by your local Board of Education, you may want to pursue possible insurance coverage for therapy.